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'Ghost in the Shell' is an upcoming remake of the classic manga of the same name created by Masamune Shirow. The original full feature film was an animated version launched back in 1995. Scarlett Johansson has been cast as Major Matoko Kusanagi. This has prompted fans to launch a petition against the alleged whitewashing of the film in hopes of convincing Dreamworks to replace the actress.

According to GOOD Magazine, Hollywood has been notorious with casting Caucasian actors for roles intended for other races. The issue of whitewashing can be traced back all the way down to the 1915 film 'The Birth of a Nation'. Other instances include the casting of John Wayne as Ghengis Khan in 'The Conquerer', Mickey Rooney as an Asian landlord in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's', Rex Harrison as Siamese King Mongkut in 'Anna and the King of Siam', and even Elizabeth Taylor as an Egyptian Queen in 'Cleopatra'.

When news of a planned 'Ghost in the Shell' movie hit the public sphere, fans were ecstatic to learn that a live-action reboot of the classic cyberpunk media franchise will finally hit the big-screen. However, when American actress Scarlett Johansson was cast to play Japanese counterterrorism taskforce leader Major Motoko Kusanagi - who is as un-American as they get - waiting audiences erupted in an online riot. According to Moviepilot, a petition currently holding the support of thousands of signatures was put up to try and convince Dreamworks to replace Johansson.

The upcoming film was previously announced for theatrical release on April 14, 2017 but Disney has pushed its spot up by two weeks and is now scheduled for March 24, 2017. It will compete against Sony's upcoming 'Smurfs' reboot. According to IGN, Margot Robbie was originally tapped to play the lead but dropped out to play Harley Quinn in DC's upcoming 'Suicide Squad'.

'Ghost in the Shell' is an upcoming science-fiction action film to be directed by Rupert Sanders of 'Snow White and the Huntsman' fame. It is based on the iconic manga created by Masamune Shirow first published in 1989. It spawned several animated adaptations including the first cinematic release of the same name that debuted in 1995.